| Ring stripper with tissue dissecting element -> Monitor Keywords |
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Ring stripper with tissue dissecting elementRelated Patent Categories: Surgery, Instruments, Blunt DissectorsRing stripper with tissue dissecting element description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060173481, Ring stripper with tissue dissecting element. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0001] None. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a device or assembly for the treating of blood vessels and more specifically to a device or assembly for performing a remote endarterectomy or dilatation and to an endarterectomy method using the device. [0003] It is known that narrowing or blockages (thromboses) can occur in blood vessels, particularly in older people. This is often caused by the effects of deposits on the inside walls of the blood vessels leading to hardening or calcifying of the blood vessels. This has dangerous consequences for the health, because the quantity of blood now able to flow through the blood vessel is drastically reduced. For effective blood circulation to occur, and to avoid possible limb amputation for example, any blockage or obstacle in the blood vessels must be removed. [0004] One conventional method for treating hardening of the blood vessels involves a complicated operation. In the case of the artery between the groin and knee, this is quite a severe operation. The patient is cut open at the groin and the knee, whereafter the artery is completely removed and replaced by an artificial artery. This can be especially hard on and dangerous for older people, particularly because of the duration of the operation. The operation is also expensive and requires a lengthy hospital recovery period for the patient. Additionally, there is a danger of rejection of the artificial blood vessel by the body, which can lead to further post operation complications. [0005] Another procedure for treating totally or partially blocked blood vessels, called endarterectomy, separates the inner layer of the blood vessel, the so called tunica-intima or intimal lining or intima, from the blood vessel wall using a ring stripper. Ring strippers are used to separate the intimal lining from a blood vessel. The intimal lining, which has been separated from the vessel wall over the length of the blockage, is then removed from the patient along with the blockage. A new intimal lining then grows back to replace the removed intimal lining. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,944,552 and 4,621,636. [0006] Conventional endarterectomy procedures are typically carried out using two incisions, one on either side of the blockage. The first incision permits access to the vessel by the instrument; the second incision permits access to the distal end of the separated intima so the separated intima may be severed from the vessel wall and then removed through the first incision. U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,749 discloses a device eliminating the need for two incisions. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention is directed to an improved ring stripper. One of the problems with conventional ring strippers is that they are somewhat flexible and therefore cannot overcome significant resistance to their passage between the intimal layers. If this occurs, the procedure is typically halted. This invention is an improvement over a conventional ring stripper, and includes a dissecting element which extends distally from the intersection of the shaft and the ring. The addition of the dissecting element allows the physician to continue with the dissection even when significant resistance to the passage of the ring between the intimal layers is encountered. [0008] The ring stripper comprises a shaft with proximal and distal ends and a tissue separator ring joined to the distal end at a junction. The shaft has a longitudinally extending shaft axis. A tissue dissecting element extends from the junction. The dissecting element has a leading surface with at least a portion of the leading surface being located distally of the ring. The tissue dissecting element may, and preferably does, extend along the shaft axis. The ring stripper may also include means for enhancing tissue dissection of the tissue dissecting element, such as by mechanically vibrating or reciprocating or otherwise moving at least the leading surface of the dissecting element or by heating the tissue to be dissected, or a combination thereof. [0009] Various features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiments have been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 illustrates the distal portion of a conventional ring stripper; [0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a ring stripper with dissecting element made according to the invention; [0012] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the ring stripper of FIG. 2; [0013] FIG. 4 is a view of an alternative embodiment similar to that of FIG. 3 in which the dissecting element has a curved distal end; [0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the V-shaped leading surface an alternative embodiment of the dissecting element of FIG. 3; [0015] FIG. 6 is a view of an alternative embodiment similar to that of FIG. 3 in which the dissecting element in the shaft are oriented generally perpendicular to the ring; [0016] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the distal end of the dissecting element of FIG. 2 showing the straight leading surface; and [0017] FIGS. 8-12 are views similar to that of FIG. 7 showing alternative embodiments of the distal end of the dissecting element in which the leading surfaces have different shapes; [0018] FIG. 13 illustrates the distal end of a dissecting element having a leading surface that can be mechanically moved to enhance tissue dissection. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0019] FIG. 1 illustrates the distal portion of a conventional ring stripper 10 comprising a ring 12 secured to the distal end 14 of a shaft 16. Ring strippers are used to separate the intimal lining from a blood vessel, typically because it is diseased. One of the problems with conventional ring strippers is that they are somewhat flexible and therefore cannot overcome significant resistance to their passage between the intimal layers. If this occurs, the procedure is typically halted. Continue reading about Ring stripper with tissue dissecting element... Full patent description for Ring stripper with tissue dissecting element Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Ring stripper with tissue dissecting element patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Ring stripper with tissue dissecting element or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Safety penetrating method and apparatus into body cavities, organs, or potential spaces Next Patent Application: Device for insertion of lacrimal stents Industry Class: Surgery ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Ring stripper with tissue dissecting element patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.10793 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , 174 |
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